Bake Off

Talking about Bake Off means going back over a very intense period of my life. Last year I watched the episodes from home, comfortably seated on my sofa, and imagined what I would have done at one of those counters. Then I said to myself “why not give it a try?” and sent in my application: I never imagined I would be selected! Instead I was contacted and, after two castings, one in Milan and one in Naples, I became one of the 20 magnificent ones.

Arriving in Milan I found myself in a world to be discovered: together with the other contestants we imagined what it might be like to make a television programme and fantasised about the audience's possible reactions on seeing us on TV.

We were a very diverse group of people, each with a lovely personality and, as in all communities, each found their own kind, with whom they formed friendships that, I can now say, went beyond the competition seen on TV.

In particular I bonded enormously with Rossella, in whom I practically found an older sister, but also with grandma Annalisa and the sensitive Stefania. I remember the first days when I encouraged Federica not to give up at the first difficulties, and with her too a lovely friendship has remained.

I was so sorry for Fabio, who left the competition almost immediately: for a few days he was my roommate at the residence where we stayed, and a lovely friendship had formed between us.

Under the tent I tried many recipes, many turned out perfectly, some less so, but I assure you I put in all the commitment and passion I am capable of.

Especially in the first tests, standing in front of the judges was very hard for me: I always had doubts about my abilities and feared their judgement, which, however, I always accepted gladly.

Getting some advice from Maestro Knam is something extraordinary! With his German accent you always have the impression he is scolding you, but I can assure you he is a true gentleman, just like Maestro Antonio.

Clelia is just as you see her on TV: a true lady, always kind and respectful to us contestants, never a word out of place.

All in all, Bake Off was for me an important experience as well as an opportunity to test myself: trying Maestro Knam's recipes and having at my disposal ingredients I had never even heard of is something wonderful!